Fruit Bruise Detection in Tomatoes by Using Infrared Thermography Based Approach

Abstract

Bruising represents a prevalent form of mechanical damage encountered throughout the postharvest process,spanning from harvesting to packaging. Its detection poses a growing challenge, especially when bruises aren’t readily apparent externally. Currently, reliance on manual inspection for identifying bruises remains common, yet it’s time-consuming and prone to errors, particularly with early-stage bruises. Prior to consumption, understanding the quality of fruits and vegetables is paramount. However, discerning between contaminants and indicators of freshness presents difficulties. Recent years have seen notable advancements in computer vision, leading to the exploration of various imaging techniques for automated bruise recognition in real-time. Among these, infrared imaging emerges as a valuable tool, capable of identifying bruises not visible to the naked eye. Notably, infrared imaging, particularly with sensitive mid-infrared thermal cameras, offers a promising avenue for detecting hidden bruises.